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B1 noun 6 min de lecture

유통기한

yutonggihan

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 유통기한 en 30 secondes

Explication 유통기한 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '유통기한' (yu-tong-gi-han) means the date on food. When you go to a store in Korea, you will see numbers on milk, bread, and eggs. Those numbers are the '유통기한'. You can say '유통기한이 언제예요?' (When is the expiration date?). It is a very important word for shopping. You should learn to recognize the characters on food packaging so you don't buy old food. Usually, it is written near the top of the bottle or on the back of the bag. Just remember: Yutong = moving/selling, Gihan = time limit. It is the time limit for selling the food.

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At the A2 level, you can start using '유통기한' in simple sentences with verbs like '지나다' (to pass) and '확인하다' (to check). For example, '유통기한이 지났어요' means 'The date has passed.' You might also see '유통기한이 짧아요' (The date is short) for fresh things like bean sprouts. You should be able to ask a store clerk if something is still good. Understanding the date format in Korea (Year-Month-Day) is also part of this level. If you see 2024.05.20, that is the 유통기한. You are learning to manage your daily needs in Korean, and checking food safety is a big part of that.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the difference between '유통기한' (sell-by date) and '소비기한' (use-by date). You can explain why you are throwing something away or why you are buying a specific product. You can use more descriptive adjectives like '넉넉하다' (to be ample/far off) or '임박하다' (to be imminent/near). You can also understand announcements in supermarkets about '마감 세일' (closing sales) for products whose 유통기한 is today. You are now able to navigate more complex consumer situations and discuss food waste issues in a basic way using this vocabulary.

At the B2 level, you can use '유통기한' metaphorically. You can discuss social issues like food waste policy changes in Korea. You understand that '유통기한' is a distribution limit and can explain the economic implications for businesses. You can also use the word in the context of cosmetics and medicine, noting that '개봉 후 유통기한' (expiration date after opening) is a separate concept. You are comfortable using the word in both formal and informal registers and can debate the safety of eating food slightly past its printed date using terms like '품질 유지 기한' (best before date).

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At the C1 level, you possess a nuanced understanding of the legal and regulatory framework surrounding '유통기한'. You can discuss the transition to '소비기한' in the context of environmental sustainability and the 'ESG' goals of Korean corporations. You can use the term in high-level literary or philosophical discussions about the 'expiration date' of human emotions or political ideologies. You are sensitive to the subtle differences between '유효기간', '만료일', and '유통기한' in legal documents and can identify errors in professional settings. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms like '상용 기한' (commercial period) in specific technical contexts.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the term '유통기한' and its place in the Korean linguistic landscape. You can analyze the etymology (流通期限) and how the Hanja characters influence the word's meaning across East Asia. You can write scholarly articles or policy papers regarding food safety regulations. You understand the historical evolution of the term from the 1980s food safety laws to the modern 2023 '소비기한' transition. You can use the term with absolute precision in any context, from a casual joke among friends about someone's 'expired' fashion sense to a formal legal argument regarding product liability.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

유통기한 en 30 secondes

Refers to the sell-by date on food and products in Korea.
Composed of 'Yutong' (distribution) and 'Gihan' (deadline).
Commonly used with verbs like '지나다' (pass) and '확인하다' (check).
Currently being phased out in favor of '소비기한' (use-by date).

The Korean term 유통기한 (Yutong-gihan) is a compound noun that literally translates to the 'distribution period' or 'circulation deadline.' In a practical, everyday context for English speakers, it is most commonly understood as the 'sell-by date' or the 'expiration date' found on food products, cosmetics, and over-the-counter medications. However, it is crucial to understand the technical nuance: '유통' (流通) means distribution or circulation, and '기한' (期限) means a time limit or deadline. Therefore, it historically referred to the date until which a product could be legally sold to consumers, rather than the date it becomes unsafe to eat. In 2023, South Korea began transitioning to 소비기한 (Sobi-gihan), which is the 'use-by' or consumption date, but 유통기한 remains the most deeply embedded term in the daily vocabulary of Koreans when checking if food is still good.

Daily Grocery Shopping: When you are at a supermarket like E-Mart or Homeplus, you will see people picking up milk cartons and squinting at the top. They are looking for the 유통기한. It is the primary metric for freshness in the Korean consumer's mind.
Restaurant Safety: Health inspectors and restaurant owners use this term strictly. Using ingredients past their 유통기한 can lead to heavy fines or business suspension, making it a critical term in the hospitality industry.
Metaphorical Use: Interestingly, Koreans often use this term metaphorically to describe the 'shelf life' of a relationship, a trend, or even a person's popularity in the entertainment industry. For example, one might say 'Our love has an expiration date.'

우유를 사기 전에 반드시 유통기한을 확인해야 해요. (Before buying milk, you must check the expiration date.)

이 빵은 유통기한이 오늘까지예요. (The expiration date for this bread is today.)

In a broader social context, the term reflects the Korean emphasis on food safety and the rapid turnover of goods in the 'Pali-Pali' (hurry-hurry) culture. Freshness is highly valued, and supermarkets often have a 'clearance' section for items nearing their 유통기한, labeled as '마감 세일' (closing sale). Understanding this word is essential for anyone living in Korea to manage their kitchen and avoid food waste or potential illness.

Using 유통기한 effectively requires knowing which verbs pair with it. The most common verbs are 확인하다 (to check), 지나다 (to pass/elapse), and 남다 (to remain). Understanding the grammatical particles used with these verbs will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Checking the Date: When you want to say 'Check the expiration date,' use the object particle '-을' with '확인하다'. Example: '유통기한을 확인하세요.'
Expired Items: If the date has passed, use the subject particle '-이' with '지나다'. Example: '유통기한이 지났어요.' (The expiration date has passed.)
Remaining Time: To talk about how much time is left, use '남다'. Example: '유통기한이 3일 남았어요.' (There are 3 days left until the expiration date.)

이 요거트는 유통기한이 넉넉해서 좋아요. (I like this yogurt because the expiration date is generous/far off.)

유통기한이 지난 약은 먹으면 안 돼요. (You should not take medicine whose expiration date has passed.)

In formal settings, such as a business report or a news broadcast, you might hear '유통기한 준수' (compliance with expiration dates). In casual conversation, you might simply ask, '이거 유통기한 언제까지야?' (Until when is the expiration date on this?). Whether you are at home or at work, these patterns remain consistent.

You will encounter 유통기한 in various environments across Korea. It is not just limited to the grocery store aisle. It appears in media, legal discussions, and social interactions.

In the Kitchen: Mothers often warn their children: '냉장고에 유통기한 지난 거 있나 봐봐' (Look in the fridge and see if there is anything past its expiration date). It's a staple phrase in household management.
At the Pharmacy: Pharmacists will often point to the box and say, '유통기한이 기니까 두고 드셔도 돼요' (The expiration date is long, so you can keep it and take it later).
In K-Dramas and Movies: In romantic dramas, characters often use the term metaphorically. A famous line might be: '사랑에도 유통기한이 있나요?' (Does love have an expiration date?). This adds a poetic yet modern layer to the word.

편의점 알바생들은 유통기한 점검을 매일 해요. (Convenience store part-timers check expiration dates every day.)

이 화장품은 개봉 후 유통기한이 짧아요. (This cosmetic has a short expiration date after opening.)

Furthermore, news reports frequently discuss the policy shift from '유통기한' to '소비기한' to reduce food waste. This public discourse means you will see the word in newspapers and on television news crawls constantly. It is a word that bridges the gap between domestic life and national policy.

While 유통기한 is straightforward, learners often make a few specific errors regarding its use and the cultural shift happening in Korea.

Confusing it with '소비기한': The most common mistake now is not realizing that '소비기한' (Use-by date) is the new official term. While everyone understands '유통기한', using '소비기한' in formal writing or when reading new labels is more accurate in 2024.
Wrong Verbs: Learners sometimes say '유통기한이 끝났어요' (The expiration date finished). While understandable, '지났어요' (passed) is much more natural and common.
Spelling Errors: Don't confuse '기한' (deadline) with '기간' (period/duration). While '유통기간' is occasionally used, '유통기한' is the standard term for the specific date.

틀린 표현: 유통기한이 죽었어요 (X) -> 올바른 표현: 유통기한이 지났어요 (O)

Another nuance is applying the word to things that don't have a 'distribution' phase. For example, for a passport or a visa, you should use '만료일' (expiration date) or '유효기간' (validity period) instead of '유통기한'. Using '유통기한' for a visa would make it sound like you are a carton of milk!

To truly master Korean, you must know the different types of 'expiration' and 'validity' terms. Not everything uses 유통기한.

소비기한 (Sobi-gihan): The 'Use-by date'. This is the date until which the food is safe to consume. It is usually longer than the 유통기한.
유효기간 (Yuhyo-gigan): The 'Validity period'. This is used for credit cards, memberships, coupons, and legal documents. It refers to the duration something remains effective.
만료일 (Mallyo-il): The 'Expiration date' or 'Expiry date'. This is used for contracts, terms of office, or software licenses.

신용카드의 유효기간을 확인하세요. (Check the validity period of your credit card.)

계약 만료일이 다가오고 있습니다. (The contract expiration date is approaching.)

Understanding these distinctions will prevent confusion in administrative tasks and daily life. While English often lumps these all under 'expiration date,' Korean is more precise about the nature of the deadline.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The '유통' part is the same as in '유통업' (the logistics/retail industry), showing its business origin.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ju.tʰoŋ.ɡi.ɦan/

US /ju.tʰoŋ.ɡi.ɦan/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis on the first syllable '유' is common.

Rime avec

미안 (mian - sorry) 동안 (dongan - during) 공항 (gonghang - airport) 시간 (sigan - time) 현관 (hyeongwan - entrance) 식단 (sikdan - diet) 판단 (pandan - judgment) 중단 (jungdan - stop)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing '유' as '우' (Utong instead of Yutong).
Confusing the 't' and 'd' sounds in 'tong'.
Making the 'h' in 'han' too silent.
Pronouncing 'gihan' as 'kihan' with too much aspiration.
Misplacing the nasal 'ng' sound at the end of 'tong'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize on packaging once you know the Hanja-based characters.

Écriture 3/5

Spelling '기한' vs '기간' can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with four clear syllables.

Écoute 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in a supermarket setting.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

날짜 (date) 음식 (food) 지나다 (to pass) 확인 (check) 우유 (milk)

Apprends ensuite

소비기한 (use-by date) 유효기간 (validity) 만료 (expiration) 성분 (ingredients) 보관 (storage)

Avancé

품질유지기한 (best before) 제조물책임법 (Product Liability Act) 신선도 (freshness)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun Modifying Form (-ㄴ/은/는)

유통기한이 '지난' 음식 (Food that 'passed' its date).

Time Limit Particle (-까지)

내일'까지'입니다 (It is 'until' tomorrow).

Reason Particle (-아서/어서)

지나'서' 버렸어요 (I threw it away 'because' it passed).

Honorific Imperative (-으세요)

확인'하세요' (Please check).

Experience Form (-아/어 보다)

확인해 '봤어요' (I 'tried' checking).

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Exemples par niveau

유통기한이 언제예요?

When is the expiration date?

Interrogative sentence using '언제' (when).

이 우유는 유통기한이 오늘까지입니다.

This milk's expiration date is until today.

'-까지' means 'until'.

유통기한을 확인하세요.

Please check the expiration date.

Imperative form '-하세요'.

빵의 유통기한이 짧아요.

The bread's expiration date is short.

'짧다' means 'to be short'.

유통기한이 지났어요?

Has the expiration date passed?

Past tense '지났어요'.

이거 유통기한이 길어요.

The expiration date for this is long.

'길다' means 'to be long'.

계란 유통기한이 며칠이에요?

What is the date for the eggs?

'며칠' means 'what date'.

유통기한이 내일까지예요.

The expiration date is until tomorrow.

'내일' means 'tomorrow'.

유통기한이 지난 음식을 버렸어요.

I threw away food that was past its expiration date.

Noun modifying clause '지난'.

슈퍼에서 유통기한을 꼭 확인해요.

I always check the expiration date at the supermarket.

'꼭' means 'surely' or 'without fail'.

유통기한이 3일밖에 안 남았어요.

There are only 3 days left until the expiration date.

'-밖에 안' means 'nothing but' or 'only'.

이 과자는 유통기한이 넉넉해요.

These snacks have a generous expiration date.

'넉넉하다' means 'to be ample'.

유통기한이 지나면 맛이 없어져요.

If the expiration date passes, the taste gets bad.

'-면' means 'if'.

두부의 유통기한을 봐 주세요.

Please look at the expiration date of the tofu.

'-아/어 주세요' is a request for help.

이 주스는 유통기한이 내년까지예요.

This juice has an expiration date until next year.

'내년' means 'next year'.

유통기한이 지난 우유를 마셨어요.

I drank milk that was past its expiration date.

Past tense verb modifying a noun.

요즘은 유통기한 대신 소비기한을 써요.

These days, they use the consumption date instead of the expiration date.

'-대신' means 'instead of'.

유통기한이 임박한 상품은 할인해요.

Products nearing their expiration date are discounted.

'임박하다' means 'to be imminent'.

화장품에도 유통기한이 있다는 걸 몰랐어요.

I didn't know that cosmetics also have an expiration date.

'-는다는 걸' is a noun clause for facts.

유통기한이 하루 지났는데 먹어도 될까요?

The expiration date passed by one day; is it okay to eat?

'-어도 되다' asks for permission.

냉장고 정리를 하면서 유통기한을 체크했어요.

While cleaning the fridge, I checked the expiration dates.

'-면서' means 'while doing'.

이 약은 유통기한이 지나서 효과가 없어요.

This medicine is past its expiration date, so it's not effective.

'-아서/어서' indicates reason.

유통기한이 표시되지 않은 상품은 사지 마세요.

Don't buy products where the expiration date is not displayed.

'-지 마세요' is a negative command.

편의점에서는 유통기한이 지나면 바로 폐기해요.

At convenience stores, they discard items immediately if the date passes.

'폐기하다' means 'to discard/dispose'.

유통기한은 판매 가능한 기간을 의미합니다.

The expiration date refers to the period during which sales are possible.

Formal definition structure.

우리 관계에도 유통기한이 있는 것 같아.

I feel like our relationship has an expiration date.

Metaphorical usage.

정부는 음식물 쓰레기를 줄이기 위해 유통기한 표시제를 변경했습니다.

The government changed the expiration date labeling system to reduce food waste.

'-기 위해' means 'in order to'.

유통기한이 지난 음식을 무조건 버리는 것은 낭비일 수 있습니다.

Blindly throwing away food past its expiration date can be a waste.

'-는 것' nominalizes the phrase.

수입 식품의 경우 유통기한 확인법이 다를 수 있습니다.

In the case of imported food, the way to check the expiration date may differ.

'-의 경우' means 'in the case of'.

이 제품은 유통기한이 제조일로부터 6개월입니다.

This product's expiration date is 6 months from the date of manufacture.

'-로부터' means 'from'.

유통기한이 경과한 제품을 판매하는 것은 불법입니다.

It is illegal to sell products that have exceeded their expiration date.

'경과하다' is a formal synonym for '지나다'.

신선 식품은 유통기한이 매우 짧아서 관리가 어렵습니다.

Fresh food is hard to manage because its expiration date is very short.

'-아서/어서' for cause and effect.

유통기한이 소비자에게 주는 심리적 압박감은 상당합니다.

The psychological pressure that expiration dates place on consumers is significant.

Advanced noun modification.

소비기한 도입으로 유통기한에 대한 인식이 점차 변화하고 있습니다.

With the introduction of use-by dates, the perception of expiration dates is gradually changing.

'-으로' indicates a cause or means.

유통기한이 지난 상품의 기부가 법적으로 허용되는지 확인이 필요합니다.

It is necessary to check whether donating products past their expiration date is legally permitted.

'-는지' for indirect questions.

아이돌 그룹의 인기도 유통기한이 있다는 말은 이제 옛말이 되었습니다.

The saying that an idol group's popularity has an expiration date has now become a thing of the past.

Complex metaphor.

유통기한 설정 실험을 통해 제품의 안전성을 검증합니다.

The safety of the product is verified through expiration date setting experiments.

Technical terminology.

일부 화장품은 유통기한보다 개봉 후 사용 기간이 더 중요합니다.

For some cosmetics, the period of use after opening is more important than the expiration date.

Comparative structure.

식품업계는 유통기한 연장을 위해 새로운 포장 기술을 개발하고 있습니다.

The food industry is developing new packaging technologies to extend expiration dates.

'연장' means 'extension'.

유통기한이 지난 통조림은 보관 상태에 따라 섭취가 가능할 수도 있습니다.

Canned goods past their expiration date may still be consumable depending on storage conditions.

'-에 따라' means 'depending on'.

유통기한 제도의 전면적인 개편은 자원 낭비 방지라는 대의에서 비롯되었습니다.

The total overhaul of the expiration date system stemmed from the great cause of preventing resource waste.

High-level academic vocabulary.

정치적 영향력의 유통기한은 민심의 향방에 따라 결정되기 마련입니다.

The expiration date of political influence is bound to be determined by the direction of public sentiment.

'-기 마련이다' means 'it is bound to'.

유통기한과 소비기한의 개념적 혼동을 막기 위한 대국민 홍보가 시급합니다.

Public relations efforts to prevent conceptual confusion between expiration and use-by dates are urgent.

Formal administrative tone.

기술의 발전은 수많은 전자 기기의 유통기한을 단축시키는 결과를 초래했습니다.

Technological progress has resulted in shortening the shelf life of numerous electronic devices.

'초래하다' means 'to bring about/cause'.

법적 분쟁에서 유통기한 준수 여부는 제조물 책임 원칙의 핵심 쟁점이 됩니다.

In legal disputes, whether expiration dates were followed becomes a key issue in product liability principles.

Legal terminology.

지식의 유통기한이 짧아지는 현대 사회에서 평생 교육은 필수적입니다.

In a modern society where the shelf life of knowledge is shortening, lifelong education is essential.

Abstract application.

유통기한이 명시되지 않은 의약품의 유통은 국민 건강에 심각한 위협을 가합니다.

The distribution of medicines without specified expiration dates poses a serious threat to public health.

'명시되다' means 'to be specified'.

소비자의 알 권리와 식품 안전 사이의 균형을 맞추는 것이 유통기한 정책의 본질입니다.

Balancing the consumer's right to know and food safety is the essence of expiration date policy.

Philosophical/Policy analysis.

Collocations courantes

유통기한이 지나다

유통기한을 확인하다

유통기한이 임박하다

유통기한이 넉넉하다

유통기한이 짧다

유통기한을 연장하다

유통기한 준수

유통기한 표시

유통기한 경과

유통기한 점검

Phrases Courantes

유통기한 언제까지예요?

— Asking for the expiration date of an item.

이 고기 유통기한 언제까지예요?

유통기한 지났어.

— Stating that something has expired (informal).

야, 이거 유통기한 지났어. 먹지 마.

유통기한 확인해 봐.

— Telling someone to check the date (informal).

냉장고에 있는 거 유통기한 확인해 봐.

유통기한이 다 됐네.

— Saying the expiration date is almost here.

우유 유통기한이 다 됐네. 빨리 마시자.

유통기한 긴 걸로 주세요.

— Requesting an item with a long expiration date.

우유 뒤쪽에서 유통기한 긴 걸로 꺼내 주세요.

유통기한이 넉넉하네요.

— Commenting that there is plenty of time left.

이 햄은 유통기한이 넉넉하네요.

유통기한이 짧아서 빨리 먹어야 해요.

— Explaining that something must be eaten quickly.

생크림은 유통기한이 짧아서 빨리 먹어야 해요.

유통기한 지난 거 먹어도 돼요?

— Asking if it's okay to eat something expired.

엄마, 유통기한 하루 지난 거 먹어도 돼요?

유통기한이 안 적혀 있어요.

— Saying the date is not written on the product.

이 봉지에는 유통기한이 안 적혀 있어요.

유통기한이 며칠 안 남았어요.

— Saying only a few days are left.

요거트 유통기한이 며칠 안 남았어요.

Souvent confondu avec

유통기한 vs 유통기간

Often used interchangeably, but '기한' refers to the specific deadline date, while '기간' refers to the length of the period.

유통기한 vs 사용기간

Refers to the duration of use, whereas '유통기한' is the date until which it can be sold.

유통기한 vs 보존기간

The period during which something can be preserved/stored safely.

Expressions idiomatiques

"사랑에도 유통기한이 있다"

— The idea that romantic love or passion eventually fades or ends.

영화 대사처럼 사랑에도 유통기한이 있을까요?

Poetic/Metaphorical

"인기에도 유통기한이 있다"

— Fame and popularity don't last forever.

연예인들은 인기에 유통기한이 있다는 것을 잘 안다.

Social

"지식의 유통기한"

— The speed at which current knowledge becomes outdated.

요즘은 지식의 유통기한이 매우 짧아졌다.

Academic

"정치적 유통기한"

— The period during which a politician remains relevant or powerful.

그 정치인의 유통기한은 이미 끝난 것 같다.

Political

"유통기한이 다 된 관계"

— A relationship that is effectively over or has no future.

우리는 유통기한이 다 된 관계처럼 느껴져.

Personal

"유통기한 없는 클래식"

— Something that never goes out of style (timeless).

이 노래는 유통기한 없는 클래식이다.

Artistic

"유통기한이 지난 생각"

— An outdated or obsolete way of thinking.

그런 유통기한 지난 생각은 버려야 해.

Critical

"유통기한을 늘리다"

— To prolong the life or relevance of something (metaphorical).

그는 끊임없는 노력으로 가수로서의 유통기한을 늘렸다.

General

"유통기한이 임박한 꿈"

— A dream or goal that one feels they are running out of time to achieve.

그에게는 지금이 유통기한이 임박한 꿈을 이룰 마지막 기회다.

Literary

"유통기한을 넘기다"

— To stay past one's welcome or relevance.

그 감독은 유통기한을 넘겨서까지 현장에 남고 싶어 하지 않았다.

Professional

Facile à confondre

유통기한 vs 소비기한

Both refer to dates on food.

유통기한 is the sell-by date (for shops); 소비기한 is the use-by date (for eaters).

소비기한이 유통기한보다 더 길어요.

유통기한 vs 유효기간

Both mean expiration.

Use 유효기간 for cards/coupons and 유통기한 for food/makeup.

카드 유효기간이 끝났어요.

유통기한 vs 만료일

Both mean the end date.

만료일 is for contracts or official statuses.

비자 만료일이 언제예요?

유통기한 vs 기한

One is a general term.

기한 is any deadline; 유통기한 is specifically for distribution.

제출 기한을 지키세요.

유통기한 vs 기간

Similar sound.

기간 is a duration (e.g., 3 days); 기한 is a point in time (e.g., May 5th).

방학 기간이 길어요.

Structures de phrases

[Noun] 유통기한이 언제예요?

우유 유통기한이 언제예요?

유통기한이 [Time] 남았어요.

유통기한이 이틀 남았어요.

유통기한이 지나서 [Action].

유통기한이 지나서 버렸어요.

유통기한을 확인해 보니 [Result].

유통기한을 확인해 보니 어제까지였어요.

유통기한이 임박한 [Noun].

유통기한이 임박한 샌드위치.

[Subject]에도 유통기한이 있다.

유행에도 유통기한이 있다.

유통기한 준수 여부를 [Action].

유통기한 준수 여부를 점검합니다.

유통기한의 연장은 [Result]를 초래한다.

유통기한의 연장은 폐기물 감소를 초래한다.

Famille de mots

Noms

유통 (distribution)

기한 (deadline)

유통업 (distribution industry)

유통망 (distribution network)

Verbes

유통하다 (to distribute)

유통되다 (to be distributed)

Adjectifs

유통기한이 지난 (expired)

유통기한이 넉넉한 (ample)

Apparenté

소비기한

유효기간

만료일

제조일

폐기

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely frequent in daily life, especially during grocery shopping and household chores.

Erreurs courantes

유통기한이 끝났어요 → 유통기한이 지났어요
While '끝나다' means 'to end', '지나다' (to pass) is the standard verb for dates and time limits.
유통기한을 죽였어요 → 유통기한이 지났어요
Never use '죽다' (to die) for expiration dates. It sounds very strange.
여권 유통기한 → 여권 만료일 / 유효기간
Passports don't 'circulate' in a market, so they use 'validity period' or 'expiration date'.
유통기간이 언제예요? → 유통기한이 언제예요?
While '기간' (period) is used, '기한' (deadline) is the correct legal and common term on packaging.
유통기한을 먹었어요 → 유통기한이 지난 음식을 먹었어요
You don't eat the 'date'; you eat the 'food' whose date has passed.

Astuces

Reach to the Back

Supermarket staff put items with the shortest 유통기한 at the front. Reach to the back of the shelf to find the freshest items with the longest dates.

Medicine Matters

Never ignore the 유통기한 on eye drops or liquid medicine. They can grow bacteria quickly once the date has passed.

Night Owl Discounts

Visit supermarkets like Lotte Mart after 9 PM. Items with a 유통기한 of 'today' will have huge discount stickers.

Metaphorical Mastery

Try using '유통기한' when talking about trends. Saying '이 패션은 유통기한이 짧아' (This fashion has a short shelf life) makes you sound very fluent.

Fridge Management

Write the 'open date' on sauces. Their 유통기한 changes once the seal is broken!

App Assistance

There are Korean apps like '유통기한 관리' that help you track the expiration dates of everything in your pantry.

Egg Dates

In Korea, eggs have the 유통기한 and a code for the farm and environment type stamped directly on the shell.

Verb Choice

Remember: '지나다' (passed) is for the date itself. '상하다' (spoiled) is for the food condition. '유통기한이 지났고 음식이 상했어요.'

Giving Gifts

When giving food as a gift (like a cake), always make sure the 유통기한 is at least 2-3 days away.

Policy Shift

If you see a label saying '소비기한', don't be confused. It's just the new version of '유통기한'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'YOU' (유) 'TONGUE' (통) 'KEY' (기) 'HAN' (한). Your TONGUE is the KEY to knowing if the HAN (limit) has passed!

Association visuelle

Imagine a milk carton with a big red 'X' over a date. That date is the 유통기한.

Word Web

Milk Bread Supermarket Safety Waste Calendar Stomach ache Label

Défi

Go to a Korean grocery store (or look at Korean products online) and find five different '유통기한' dates. Write them down in Korean format (YYYY.MM.DD).

Origine du mot

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots. '유' (流 - flow), '통' (通 - pass through), '기' (期 - period), '한' (限 - limit).

Sens originel : The limit of the period during which goods flow through the market.

Sino-Korean

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this term metaphorically about people's careers, as it can be seen as ageist or insensitive.

In the US/UK, we use 'Sell-by', 'Use-by', and 'Best-before'. '유통기한' is closest to 'Sell-by'.

Movie: 'Chungking Express' (famous monologue about the expiration date of canned pineapple) K-Drama: 'My Lovely Sam Soon' mentions the expiration date of love News: KBS/MBC reports on the 2023 policy change

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Grocery Shopping

유통기한 확인했어?
가장 긴 걸로 골라.
이거 세일하네.
유통기한이 오늘까지야.

Cooking at Home

냉장고 정리하자.
이거 먹어도 될까?
냄새는 괜찮은데.
버리기 아깝다.

Pharmacy

약 유통기한이 언제예요?
상자에 적혀 있어요.
오래 두지 마세요.
개봉하면 빨리 쓰세요.

Convenience Store Job

폐기 등록해.
유통기한 점검 시간이야.
이거 먹을래?
새로 들어온 거 뒤로 넣어.

Dating/Relationships

우리 사이도 끝인가 봐.
사랑에 기한이 어딨어?
마음이 변했어.
유통기한이 다 됐어.

Amorces de conversation

"이 우유 유통기한이 언제까지인지 봐 줄래?"

"유통기한 지난 음식, 하루 정도는 먹어도 된다고 생각해?"

"한국은 이제 유통기한 대신 소비기한을 쓴다는데 들어봤어?"

"화장품 유통기한은 보통 얼마나 돼?"

"냉장고에 유통기한 지난 거 너무 많아서 오늘 청소해야겠어."

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 냉장고를 확인해 보니 유통기한이 지난 음식이 세 개나 있었다. 어떤 기분이 들었나?

만약 사람의 재능에도 유통기한이 있다면, 당신의 재능은 언제까지일 것 같은가?

음식물 쓰레기를 줄이기 위해 유통기한 정책을 바꾸는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하는가?

어제 유통기한이 임박한 고기를 싸게 샀다. 그것으로 무엇을 요리했는가?

사랑에도 유통기한이 있다는 말에 동의하는가? 그 이유는 무엇인가?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually, yes. 유통기한 is a sell-by date for stores. The food is often safe for several more days, which is now called '소비기한' (use-by date). However, check for smells or changes in texture first.

On milk, it's at the top. On canned goods, it's on the bottom. On bags, it's usually on the back near the barcode or at the very top seal.

Yes, bottled water in Korea has a 유통기한, usually 6 months to 2 years, because the plastic bottle can degrade over time.

Not exactly. '소비기한' is closer to 'Use-by' (safety limit), while '품질유지기한' is the Korean equivalent of 'Best Before' (quality limit).

It is illegal in Korea and can result in heavy fines, business suspension, or even criminal charges for the owner.

Yes, they have a '제조번호' (batch number) and a '유통기한'. They also often have an 'open jar' icon indicating how many months (e.g., 12M) they are good for after opening.

You can say '유통기한 글씨가 잘 안 보여요' (The expiration date text isn't clearly visible).

In Korea, it is always Year-Month-Day. For example, 2024.12.31.

People often call it '폐기' (pye-gi), which technically means 'disposal' or 'waste'.

To reduce food waste. Many people were throwing away safe food because they misunderstood 유통기한 as the safety deadline.

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